Lana

Lana drops to the floor.

Through the line, the doctor speaks.

“You may not be able to have children.”

**

Todd finds her later.

“What’s wrong?”

She hiccups. “Me. It’s me. I’m wrong.”

He holds her as she whispers the news.

**

We have to tell them, Lana says.

It’ll be weird if they don’t.

Both sides want a grandchild.

Lana needs to tell them it may not happen.

She’s just not sure she can stand the look of heartache on her mother’s face as they do so.

**

The family is supportive.

“There’s still a chance.”

“You never know.”

“God has a plan for us all.”

The last one is Todd’s mom, and Lana storms out.

God should have created her right from the start.

**

There’s a night where they try to be together.

Lana ends up crying.

Todd doesn’t have to ask what’s wrong.

He hushes her, kisses her eyelids.

Eventually, they fall asleep.

**

Three months later, Lana’s pregnant.

She wakes up to sharp pains and blood on the bed.

They rush to the hospital, but for no reason.

Lana knew the baby was gone when she woke.

**

It’s been a year.

Lana’s scared, but Todd says, “We’ll get it right this time.”

In nine months, Todd ends up being right.

**